Skip to main content

4 jailed for forging 2,000+ marriage certificates in UK immigration scam

The Home Office's investigation, conducted in both the UK and Lagos, uncovered more than 2,000 fake marriage certificates facilitated by the group, all of whom were Nigerian nationals. [Sky News]

The fraudulent activities spanned from March 2019 to May 2023 and involved not only forged Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates but also other falsified documents.

Four individuals have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a large-scale immigration scam involving the forgery of over 2,000 marriage certificates.

According to the Home Office, the fraudulent documents were used to help Nigerian nationals live illegally in the UK.

The convicted individuals—Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 41; Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38; Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, 31; and Adekunle Kabir, 54—were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court in London on Tuesday, August 27.

Sky News reported that the group was part of an organised criminal network that specialised in making false applications to the EU Settlement Scheme.

READ ALSO: UK court finds 6 Nigerians guilty of internet fraud

"This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and have rightly been brought to justice.

"As with many gangs we encounter, their sole priority was financial gain. I am delighted that my team was able to intercept their operation, and I hope these convictions will serve as a warning to unscrupulous gangs who exploit people's desperation to remain in the UK," said Paul Moran, the Home Office's chief immigration officer.

How UK govt busted crime syndicate

The fraudulent activities spanned from March 2019 to May 2023 and involved not only forged Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates but also other falsified documents.

The Home Office's investigation, conducted in both the UK and Lagos, uncovered more than 2,000 fake marriage certificates facilitated by the group, all of whom were Nigerian nationals.

READ ALSO: FG writes UK, requests Diezani's extradition over alleged $2.5bn fraud

Onifade, from Gravesend, and Shodipo, from Manchester, received sentences of six and five years, respectively, for conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud.

Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was sentenced to six years for obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation.

Kabir, from London, received a nine-month sentence for possession of an identity document with improper intention.

ridoola.blogspot.com.ng
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Okpebholo suspends A-G & LG Chair under 3 months over finance dealings

The Edo Government has announced the suspension of Samson Osagie , its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Damian Lawani , chairman of the Local Government Service Commission. Mr Musa Ikhilor , Secretary to the State Government (SSG) announced the suspension in a statement in Benin on Thursday morning. ALSO READ: Kano Govt suspend 2 school principals for alleged absenteeism, negligence Ikhilor said the two-state top officials were suspended over allegations of “grave official and financial interactions”. Okpebholo suspends Edo Attorney-General and LG Service Commission Chairman According to him, the suspension, which takes immediate effect, is pending the conclusion of an investigation into the allegations. The SSG said; It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that Gov. Monday Okpebholo has approved the suspension from office of the Chairman of Edo Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Os...
Post a Comment
Read more

Family Homes Funds, TETFund & Private Investors Lead National PPP Drive for Renewed Hope Student Housing Projects

The Renewed Hope Student Housing Project is a Public Private Partnership initiative of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR that is set to improve the living standards and revitalize infrastructure across Tertiary Institutions in the country with a plan to deliver 38,400 world class student hostel bed spaces across a total of 24 locations: 12 Universities, 6 Polytechnics & 6 Colleges of Education. The Renewed Hope Student Hostel Project in each of the 24 locations will boast 1,600 bed spaces, 400 ensuite rooms with study table and chairs, 4 reading rooms, common room, cafeteria & restaurants, laundromat, grocery shops, salons, public toilets etc.  Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL), in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited is set to deliver on Mr. President’s promise to transform student accommodation nationwide through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Renewed Hope Stude...
Post a Comment
Read more

NYSC Mobilisation & Academic Standards – Raising quality or adding pressure on students?

On September 29, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a reform linking the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation process to the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD). By invoking Sections 2(4)(4) and 16(1)(C) of the NYSC Act, Tinubu stated that no graduate, whether from a Nigerian or foreign institution, will be mobilised for or exempted from NYSC without proof of compliance with the NERD policy. In a common man's understanding, the Federal Government has announced that Nigerian students must now submit their final-year projects or thesis before they can be mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). This policy aims to improve academic standards, ensuring that no student skips essential academic requirements before entering the NYSC scheme . On the surface, this sounds like a laudable idea, but a deeper look reveals a different reality. In many universities, students are allowed to graduate and mobilised for NYSC  ...
Post a Comment
Read more